Choctaw dancer, flute player, and flute maker, Presley Byington, will be at the Museum of the Red River to present the flute making workshop in the Mary H. Herron Community Conference Center on April 12, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. In this workshop you will learn everything from carving the bamboo, to firing and drilling the holes.

Presley Byington was born in Idabel, Oklahoma. His early interest in the Choctaw culture led him to learn Choctaw dance by age 12. Ten years later, in the mid 80’s, he was dancing in the Plains style and stomp dancing. While dancing in Cherokee, NC, he came across the Native American courting flute and was instantly intrigued, but it wouldn’t be until 1991 that he learned to make his first flute. He has been making beautiful native style flutes and Choctaw flutes ever since.

Presley enjoys sharing his culture with all people. He has shared his talents here at the Museum for many years. He has even played the flute for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian during their Choctaw Days Festival, in Washington, D.C.

The cost of the workshop is $45. All materials needed to make a tuned flute are provided. Please call the museum @ 580-286-3616 to reserve your spot.